Reinventing customer service -- with a global jam session

Teams work in the spirit of friendly competitionfor fewer than 48 hours to develop and prototype completely new services inspired by the principles of Service Design.

COURTESY PHOTO

Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 4:50 p.m.

What would happen if people around the world got together to brainstorm revolutionary, innovative ways to serve customers better?

Facts

SARASOTA SERVICE JAM

WHEN: The evening of March 7, daytime of March 8 and close on the afternoon of the 9th.WHERE: The Hyatt Sarasota Boathouse, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts.COST: $15 each (sponsors and donations are welcome).TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION: SarasotaServiceJam.com

You can come to the first Sarasota Service Jam to find out.

Founded on the principles of a field called Service Design and bringing together a global network of diverse disciplines, the event will unite people who "simply want to understand how to create a better experience for their customer," said Megan Greenberg of the Sarasota firm atLarge Inc., which is organizing the Sarasota event.

Just like a musical jam session, this Jam is based on creation more than the end result. But instead of making music, participants inspire change.

"It welcomes all and excludes none; so come to the Jam, join a team, and get ready to harmonize," Greenberg said in a written statement.

The Global Service Jam takes place in more than 120 cities worldwide, with designers, business owners, service professionals, academics, students, thinkers, doers, dabblers and makers gathering in a global community.

In the spirit of experimentation, innovation and friendly competition, they will explore and reassess what they understand as a service that is designed with a customer at its core.

Teams will have fewer than 48 hours to develop and prototype completely new services inspired by the principles of Service Design. At the end of the weekend, these ideas become concrete designs, prototypes and plans of action that are published for the world to see.

It's also a learning experience.

The Sarasota Service Jam offers participants a deeper understanding of Service Design through interactive activities, workshops and short presentations.

"Sarasota, a town built on tourism, health care and commerce, has the ability to be at the forefront of the ever-growing, customer-based ideology that is Service Design," Greenberg said.

It offers the chance to connect with Service Designers locally and globally, and to continue the conversation in a global network of thought leaders.

<p>What would happen if people around the world got together to brainstorm revolutionary, innovative ways to serve customers better?</p><p>You can come to the first Sarasota Service Jam to find out.</p><p>Founded on the principles of a field called Service Design and bringing together a global network of diverse disciplines, the event will unite people who "simply want to understand how to create a better experience for their customer," said Megan Greenberg of the Sarasota firm atLarge Inc., which is organizing the Sarasota event.</p><p>Just like a musical jam session, this Jam is based on creation more than the end result. But instead of making music, participants inspire change.</p><p>"It welcomes all and excludes none; so come to the Jam, join a team, and get ready to harmonize," Greenberg said in a written statement.</p><p>The Global Service Jam takes place in more than 120 cities worldwide, with designers, business owners, service professionals, academics, students, thinkers, doers, dabblers and makers gathering in a global community.</p><p>In the spirit of experimentation, innovation and friendly competition, they will explore and reassess what they understand as a service that is designed with a customer at its core.</p><p>Teams will have fewer than 48 hours to develop and prototype completely new services inspired by the principles of Service Design. At the end of the weekend, these ideas become concrete designs, prototypes and plans of action that are published for the world to see.</p><p>It's also a learning experience.</p><p>The Sarasota Service Jam offers participants a deeper understanding of Service Design through interactive activities, workshops and short presentations.</p><p>"Sarasota, a town built on tourism, health care and commerce, has the ability to be at the forefront of the ever-growing, customer-based ideology that is Service Design," Greenberg said.</p><p>It offers the chance to connect with Service Designers locally and globally, and to continue the conversation in a global network of thought leaders.</p><p>All disciplines are welcome, professionals and students alike.</p><p>–Staff report</p>